Switch and lamp support



L. C. EICHNER May 6, 1930.

SWITCH AND LAMP SUPPORT Filed Jan. 6, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTQR Ian fits (Z Zafmef:

ATTORNEY May 6, 1930. I

L. C. EICHNER SWITCH AND LAMP SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 6, 1 928 N m w MB A E g :7: x v. N J w u INVENTOR I Jail/2t;- EJ 82116! ATTORNEYS Patented May 6, 1930 UNETEQSTATES P T;*QF E. i Q

LAURITS crnrcnnnn, or BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY, 'ASSIGNQRj 'ro ncanssnn AIL- WAY LAMP & SIGNAL coMPAnY, or, nnmnerongnnw aEnsEY, A CORPORATION 01? MAINE swrrcn AND LAMB surronr Application filed January s, 1928. Serial, No. 244,989.

My invention relates to lamps and particu larly to electric tail marker lamps such as 'r are used on the rear ends of trains.

The invention particularly has for its oblamp in position will eflect the electrical connection necessary to energize the bulb of I the lamp from the train circuit feed wires,

and conversely the act of removing the lamp will open the circuit.

Further, the invention has for an object to provide a means to guard the switch terminals V V use an 011 lamp due to failure of the electric from accidental shortcircuits should one at tempt to place a conducting object in the a socket from which the lamp has been removed Further, the'inventi'on has foran object" to provide a socket with a, switch element.

having circuit contact members to receive the mating contact members of the lamp when the bracket is inserted in the socket.

Further, the invention has for an object to provide for the throwing of the swltch to bring its contact terminals into position to receive the mating contact terminals of the bracket, throwing the switch upon the initial part of the inserting movement of the bracket member into the socket element, and for effecting the connection between the movable elements circuit terminals and, the contact members of the switch during the latterpart i of the inserting movement. l

Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a bracket with fixed circuit terminals and a switch, the latter having contactelements normally disengaged from said circuit terminals and adapted to be engaged therewith uponthrowing the switch to a circuit closing position, the bracket element having provisions for throwing the switch to either of its positions and having relatively fixed circuit terminals to cooperate with the switch contacts, provision being made for first causing the switch to engage the fixed contacts of the bracket before the switch con tacts are engaged by the circuit terminal members of the bracket, an'd'conv'ersely en able the bracket contacts to bedisengaged from the socketcontacts.

Further, it is an objectto provide means to interlock the lamp bracket and socket elements whenlassembled and to provide sufiibefore the switch elements are disengage d cient lost motion between the same to enable a the circuit connections to be eiiected as above referred to. Y

Further, the invention has for an object to provide a device of the character described in whosejsocket element-provision is made 7 Other objects will in part be obvious and inpart be pointed out hereinafter.

To theatt'ainment ,ofthe aforesaid objects and ends,1iny invention consists in the novel details otfconstruction and in the combina 'tion, connection and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and then pointed outjin the claims. ,7

In the accompanying" drawings, showing illustrative embodiments of, the invention, Figure 1 is'a perspectivevie'w showing my invention in use. I 1

Fig.2-is an enlarged side elevation of the socket'member with a' portionof the, cover -removed,f thej;switch being "in the circuitopen position."

ber shown in Fig. 2.

. 4L isa vertical longitudin l Section on} @the Fig 3 N Fig. 5 is a verticallongitudinal section with the bracket elementinserted a distance sufiicient to throw'the switch.

Fig; 6 is; a vertical longitudinal section with the bracket element completely inserted. Fig. 7 is. a horizontal'section on the line 77of Fig.6.

Fig..8 is'fa detail rear elevation of the bracket member showing the positon of its contact fingers. Y

' Fig. 9 is a vvertical cross section on the line 9-9 ofFig. 6.

I Fig. 10 isa detailperspective view of the switch and its toggle rod.

-Figi3isatop plan viewof the socket mem- I Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of an oil lamp bracket such as may be used with my socket member if desired.

In the drawings in which like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures,

1 represents the socketmembers base plate a from the front of which the socket proper 2 projects. The socket proper 2 has a tapered opening 3, to receive asignal flag staff. It

is also provided with 'a slotl and a T slot 5 for the reception of the bracket of a lamp.

The socket member is adapted to be sunk into its support and secured by-screws passing through fastening ears .6. a V

. The rear face of the member 1 is preferably. vertically grooved as at? fora purpose later made clear. Pairs of upper and lower trunnion-bearing lugs 8 and 9 are provided on the back of the plate 1 to receive the trunnions 11 which bear against the surface 10 under spring pressure as will later be clear. The switch comprises a metallic face plate 7 12 havingprojections 13 to be engaged by the bracket member to throw the switch from one position to. another. The face plate 12 is also provided with a stop 14 and the face plate is designed normally tofit in a slot 25 in the base plate land constitute a closure therefor. 1 y

-The switch alsoincludes aninsulator 30 that is held to the face plate 12 in any suitable manner as by screws, or lugs 15 on which the insulator material may be molded. The face plate 12 is also provided on its rear portion with ears 16 between which on a suitable pivot 18 the head of the toggle rod 17 is mounted. Embedded in the insulator 30 of the switch is a pair of circuit closer elements or plates 19 having spring contact fingers 21 at one end and clip fingers 20 at the other end.

I Mounted on suitable insulation supports 24 on the back of the baselp late l are-relatively fixed (and resilient if preferred) con.- tact elements 22 with which the tfingers 21 are adapted to engage when the switch is in .the circuit-closed position. The elements 22 are secured at 23where the feed wires (not shown) of .the train circuit are also adapted to be connected.

V Extending rearwardlyfrom the base plate 1 are suitable cover supporting arms 26, to the ends 27 of which the cover 28 is fastened by'screws 29. or other suitable means.--

31 designates the armof the electric lamp bracket which has amating portion 32 adapted to be received by the socket ,2 and which has a flange'34 adapted to be received by the T slot 5 ofthe socket member,the arm 31 being grooved at 33 to clear theprojections 39 on the front of the base plate 1.

The mating element 32 of the bracket is chambered at'35 while the arm 31 has a pas sage 36. In the, passage 36 are located thecircuit terminal barsby whichthe current is conducted to the lamp b ulb socket (not shown).

The bars 37 are "suitably mounted in insulation inthe passage 36 to be relatively fixed, h

and they have fingers 38 adapted, when the bracket and socket members are assembled and the switch thrown to the circuit-closed position, to enterthe clip fingers 20 and close the circuit therewith.

In using my invention the line wire terminals of the train circuit are connected at to the contact fingers 22, the switch being normally in the-position shown in Fig. l;

Upon inserting the bracket element 32 into the socket proper the lower edge 40 will engage the projections 13 of the switch and press downwardly, thereon, thereby turning .the switch on its trunnion 11 in a counter-clockwise direction in Fig. 4 to throw the switch toward its circuit-closedposition. As soon as the switch has been thus moved a distance sufficient to bring the pivot pin 18 above the chamber 35 and interlocked with the meinber 32.

Reversing the movement of the bracket to remove. the lamp first causes the fingers 38 tobe disengaged from the clips 20 and then the bottom .40 of the member 32 will engage the plate 12 to turn the switch in a clockwise direction in Fi 6 thereb movin the switch D 7 D back toward the circuit open position, the movement being completed with a quick a-c tion as soon as the pivot 18 passes thev axis of the trunnions 11.

Should perchance the electric current fail and it becomes necessary to usean oil lamp, the bracket 2 is so designed as to 'permitjthis to be done. Themating men'ibcr 74-1 and web- 42 of the oil lamp bracket (see Fig. 11)"will fit the openings 3 and t as in the usual oil lamp type brackets.- Q

Also the present type of electric tail marker lamps in which thecircuitjis made by a cord .:1

connection and which has aseparate bracket.

may be mounted on my socket in ca sethe train 7 is equipped with the old style lamps.

llclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s: r I r '1. In an apparatus of the character described, a socket member, a bracket member removably; associated with said socket member, said bracket member having electric cir cuit terminals, said socket member having electric circuit terminals, a movable switch having circuit closer elements,and means operative upon bringing said bracket andsockct members 1 together for first throwing said;

Having thus described-my invention. what i-,757,i77 V switch to close thecircuit between its closer elements and the circuit terminals of said socket and thereafter; to close the circuit between said bracketmembers circuit terminals and said circuit closer. 7 c

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a-socket member, a bracket member removably associated with said socket member, said bracket member having electrlc- C11- cuit terminals, said socket member having electric circuit terminals, a movable switch having circuit closer elements, means oper- 1 tion,

a so.

ative upon bringing said bracket and; socket members together for first throwing said switch to close the circuit between its closer elements and the circuit terminals of said socket and thereafter toclosethe circuit bea tween said bracketmemberscircuit ternng nalsand said circuit closer elements, and op erable upon separating said bracket and socket members to restore the switch parts and circuit terminals to their initial posi- 3. In apparatus ofthec class described, a socket member and; a bracket member having mating p'artsjfired electric circuit contact members carried by each said" socket and bracket members; .a movable switch carried by one of said members and having contacts to cooperate with the respective contact members of said socket and bracket members;

means holdingsaid switch in a circuit-open position when said mating parts are disentacts to cooperate with the respective contact members of said socket and bracket members means holding said switch in a circuit-open position when said mating parts are disengaged; means operable upon engaging the mating parts to throw said switchto bridge the circuit between said contact members of said socket member; and those of said brack et member; said switch comprising a face plate, an insulator secured to the back of the .same,-.c rcu1 t contact elements on 1 said insulator and trunnions for said switch.

pivotally mounting 5. In apparatus of'the class described, a

socket member and a bracket member'having mating parts; fixed electric circuit contact members carried by each said socket andv bracket members; amovable switch carried by one Jof said members andhaving contacts tocooperatewith the respective contact members of said socket and bracket members; T means holding 1 saidswitch in a circuit-open position when said matingiparts are disen ,gaged; andmeans operable upon engaging {'thermating parts to throwsaidswitch to .bridge the CiI'OllitibGtWgGIl: said contact mem- -'bers of said socket member and those ofsaid bracketlmember; said switchcomprising a a face plate, an insulator, contact elements and V trunnions; said, socket member having a slottedbase platev the slot of which said face plate normally lies; said switch holding meanscomprising a stop, andv a spring toggle device: I Y

socket memberI anda bracket member having mating parts; fixed electric circuiticontact 'members carried by each-said: socket and i bracket members; a; movable switch carried byone ofv said members and having contacts to cooperate with the respective contact members of said socket and bracket umembers;

meansholding saidiswitchin a circuit-open position when said mating parts are disengaged; means operable upon engaging the mating partsto throw saidswitch to bridge the circuit between said contact members of said socket member and those of said bracket. member; said switch comprising a face plate, an insulator, contact elements and trunnions said socket member having a slotted base plate in the slot of which said faceplate normally lies; said switch holding means com-' prising a. stop and a spring-toggle device, and vsaid switch throwing means comprising projectionson the front of said'face plate which are adapted to be engaged by the mating element ofsaid bracket member. I

7. In apparatus of the class described, a socket member comprising a base plate, a socket projecting from the frontface of said base plate and havinga recess'to receive a mat1ng element of alamp bracket; a pair of insulated-and relativelyvfixed circuit contact members mounted on said base plate, said base plate having a slot and having bearing elements; a switch member pivotally mounted in said bearing elements and itself including a face plate adapted normally tolie in and constitute a closure for said slot, said switch member also including an insulator andcircuit contact elements carried thereby and adaptedto engage with and to be disengaged from said relatively fixed contact members accordingly assaid switch is in one position or another; and-means operable by engagement of the mating element of a lampbracket to throwsaid switch from oneposition to another. V

. 8, In apparatus of "the class described, a socket member comprisinga hase plate, a socket projecting from -a-facefof said fbas'e plate and having "airecess to receive amating 6. :In apparatus the .d'escribed,a

element of alamp bracket; a pair of insulated f and relatively fixed circuit}-contact members mounted on said base plate; said base plate "having a slot and having bearing elements;

aswiteh member pivotally monnted in said bearing elements and itself; including a face plate adaptedfnormally to lie in and constituteaclosurei'or'said slot, said switch member also including a n-insulator-and circuit contact elements carried thereby and adapt ed to engage with'and to be disengaged from said relatively *fixed contact members ac- "sw itch. g p 9. 'In'apparatus of the class described, a socket member comprising a base plate,'a' socketprojecting from" a'face of said base.

cordingly as saids'witch i sin one position.

or another; and means operable by engagement of the mating element ofa lamp bracket to throw'saidswitch from one position to another, and including a; toggle rod and spring device to efiect a quick action of the plateand having a recess to receiveamating a face plate adapted normally to lie in and constitute a: closure for Sald slot, said switch member also including anlinsulator and cir cuit contact elements carried thereby and adapted to engage with and tobe disengaged from said relatively fixed contact members accordingly as said switch is in one position or another; and means operable by engage inent of the matingelement of alamp bracket to'thr'ow said switch from one position to another; in combination with a bracket having relatively fixed circuit contact members with fingers adapted to engagethe sw tehs contact elements afterthe switch has been thrown to the circuit-closed position; 1

10. In apparatus of the class described,a socket member comprising a base plate,'a

socket projecting from a face of said base plate andzhaving a recess to receive -a mating element of alainp bracket; a pair of insulated and relatively fixed circuit-contact members mounted on'said base plate, said base plate having slot and having bearing elements; a switch member pivotally mounted in said bearing elements and 1tself nclud nga face plate'ad'apted normally to lie in and constitute a closure of said'slot', said switch member also including an insulator and circuit contactel'e'ments carried thereby and 7 adapted to'engage with andto be disengaged froin-said relatively fixed contact members accordingly as said switch is in one'p'osition or another; and'means operable by engagement'of the n'iating'element -of a lamp bracket tofthrow said switch from one position to another, and: including toggle rod and spring device to eflec'tajquick action ofthe switch;in combination with a bracket hav- 'ing relatively fixedfcircuit contact members with fingers adapted to engage the s witclis contact elements after the switch has been thrown tothe circuit-closed position 11. Inapparatus-of the-class described, a

socket member comprising a base plate, a 7 socket promoting from. ,aface'of said base 7 plate and having a recess to receive a mating element of a lamp bracket-j a pair of insulated and relatively fixed circuit contact members 'mounted on said base plate, said base plate having a slot and having bearing elements;

a switch member piv'otally mounted in said" bearing elements and itself including a'face plate adapted normally tolie in and" constitute a closure for said-slot, said switch member also including an insulator and circuit contact elements carried thereby and adapted to engage with and to be disengaged from said relatively fixedcontact members accordingly as saidlswitch is in one position or another; and means operable by engagement of the mating elementof ala'mp bracket to "throw said switch from one position to another, and including a toggle rod and spring device to effect a quick action of the switch; in combination with abracket having re'la tively fixed circuit contact members with fingers adapted 'to engage the=swit'chs contact elements after the switch has been thrown to the circuit-closed-position, said bracket and said socket members having lost; me-

tion'11Pon being; assembled w y engage 'ment of the bracket members finge s it the switchs contact elements will be effected after the switch has been completely thrown to the circuit-closed position and disengagement will occur before the switch is thrown to the circuit-open position.

12. Inapparatus ofthe 'clas's described, a bracket-member and a socket member, said "members havingengagingparts', each memberhaving relatively fixed circuit terminals, combined with aswitch'f fo'r brldging said terminalsjwhen said members have been ass'embled, means to mount said switch on one of said members and throw "it by the other member, and afq'ui'ck action device to com plete the throwing of the switch after the sam'e sha'll have been'initiat'ed by saido'ther member, a=housing for said switch, said hou'sing having aslotand said switch having a part constituting a closure-for said slot whenthe said members have beensepara'ted.

13; In a'n' apparatus of the class described, v

a socket member, a bracket 'member removabl asse'ciated'with said socket member, s id bracket member having'electric circu t terminals, said socket member having electric V "circuit terminals, a movable switch having circuit closer elements, means operative-i'i-pon bringin'g said bracket and socket members togetherfor first throwing-said switch to brlngmg close the circuit between its closer elements and the circuit terminals of said socket and thereafter to close the circuit between said bracket memberscircuit' terminals and said circuit closer, and a quickaction device to complete the throwing of the switch after the same shall have been initiated by the together of'said bracket and socket members.

Signed at the city of New York, in the county of New York, and State of New York, this 30th day'of December, 1927 LAURITS C. EIOHNER. 

